Kohli follows in Rohit's footsteps, co-owns wrestling team

India Test captain Virat Kohli became the second cricketer after Rohit Sharma to join the Pro Wrestling League bandwagon after he was named as the co-owner of the Bengaluru Yodhas team.

After Bollywood superstar of yesteryear Dharmendra and India cricketer Rohit joined hands, Kohli became the third big celebrity to co-own a team in the much-hyped league.

Bengaluru Yodhas will start their campaign against the UP Warriors in their opening fixture on Friday.

"I was thrilled on hearing about the Pro Wrestling League and Bengaluru Yodhas. I am no stranger to the city of Bangalore and it is wonderful that I can extend my association by way of the Yodhas," Kohli said in a statement.

"I am confident that the Yodhas will be a vital cog in the scheme of things. I am excited and cannot wait to follow all the action on the mat."

Bengaluru are a strong team comprising the likes of Narsingh Pancham Yadav (74kg), Bajrang Punia (65kg), Sandeep Tomar (57kg), Ukraine's Pavlo Oliiynik (97kg), 2012 London Olympics silver medallist Davit Modzmanashvili (125kg) of Georgia in men's section.

In the women's category, five-time World Championship medallist Yuliya Ratkevich of Azerbaijan, USA's Alyssa Lampe, India's Lalita Sehrawat and Navjot Kaur are in the ranks.

The inaugural edition of the PWL will witness six city-based franchises fighting against one another.